Nicole Stevens: Blood and Daggers

Chapter Fourteen: Tom

"Harry!" I ran to catch him up.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly as I ran up to him and skidded to a stop.

"I want you to help me with something."

"What? Do I need to help you find anything? Maybe a sense of forgiveness?"

"Possibly," I answered, "but I'm not really looking for a sense of anything. I just need you to help me and join the Order of the Phoenix. You see, if you want to get Sirius free, then you need to join. I'm sure we could--"

"Where is this we stuff coming from? A day ago, you would have sold me to Voldemort rather than work with me. Why the sudden change of heart? And don't you dare tell me that you are doing this for me, because I know it's not true."

"I don't want anyone to die, no matter if I have a grudge against you or not. C'mon, it's not like I'm asking you to bare your soul, or anything; I'm just asking you to go to Dumbledore and ask him if you could join the Order. How big a sacrifice is that?"

He looked down into my face with disdain. His eyes were hard, and it chilled me to stare up at him, my pleading gaze only returned with scorn.

"What would I get from it?"

"Um..."

"Listen, if I get what I want, I'll agree. If I don't, I won't. It's as simple as that."

"Well, what do you want?" I asked, hopeful it was something attainable.

He smirked and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I want you. You've never been mine, not fully. You've always had part of your heart reaching out for Malfoy. That one little piece is what I want, along with all I had before. If I can't have that, then I don't want to become one of the Order. Take the deal or leave it, it's your choice. Now that you have Malfoy, how much are you willing to give up for my agreement?"

I became rigid. Was this not something I had planned for? No, I thought, I knew I hadn't believed that he actually would want me. But, then again, why would he? I had thought he might ask for money, or something like that, but I had never reckoned on Harry wanting me. Well, some distant part in my mind might have thought about it, but I had not consciously considered it.

"Take it or leave it, Nicole. And hurry, I don't want to be late for class."

I paused. "O-okay."

Harry grinned sadistically down at me.

"This is going to be enjoyable," he whispered. His words were as icy as a winter day. They inspired fear in my heart.

"I-I have to go. I need to--do something."

"No. You're going to walk to class with me, and you're going to sit by me. And at lunch, you'll sit by me. At Quidditch games, you'll cheer for me, and when I win, you'll leap for joy and we'll snog."

"Mphrg," I whimpered.

"Now come on." Harry took my backpack from me and slung it over his shoulder, and then wrapped his arm around my waist. We began walking to History of Magic. I was shaking from fright. If I couldn't tell Draco what had happened...?

Harry and I walked in the classroom door. People seemed amazed to see us together. Well, I was with them on that one. Even I was amazed to have Harry's arm around me, though I was not happy about it. When had I ever been unhappy to have Harry's affection? But, no, this was not affection, this was ownership. It was comparable to lustful desire, but far more deadly.

Harry led me to a desk in the back of the classroom, letting me out of his grip and pulling out my chair for me. I sat, for I was not willing to test Harry's limits yet. I did not wish to know what might happen if I refused to sit by him. Harry sat close beside me. He laid his hand on my leg under the desk, and I shivered with loathing. I had never truly believed I could loathe Harry, but it was so. I longed to slam my knee up into the desk, crushing his hand, but I did not dare to. Possibly there was an alternative?

"Look happy," Harry whispered in my ear. I forced a grin, trying not to clench my hands on the desk. It was so difficult to fake.

"Good day, class," greeted Professor Binns, "I hope you have prepared yourselves for today's lesson, for today we are learning about the four founders of Hogwarts. Please pay careful attention to their relationships with one another."

I had to endure the whole class with Harry. He never once took his hand from me. I tried to pay attention, but it was impossible.

"Now, your homework is to write an essay on the founders. Two feet long by next week."

There was a murmur from the class, as we all packed up. Harry took my bag again, and we began to walk out the door. I heard footsteps behind me as we exited, and turned my heard to look. Draco was standing by the History of Magic doorway, looking crestfallen. I tried to pull away from Harry, but he turned to see what I was looking at, and as he saw Draco, Harry smiled cruelly at him and kissed me on the cheek.

I felt close to tears. This was so wrong.

I want Draco, I sobbed in my head.

Kitten, I know you do. Just go along with Harry for a while. It will be all right, I promise. I won't torment you about this.

"Harry, I have Arithmancy next. I'll see you at lunch."

"All right. Stay away from Malfoy."

I did not answer. I just walked away to class. Draco was in Arithmancy with me, I could explain what had happened when I saw him. Surely he would understand. He knew--he must--that I loved him. How could he not? If Draco would not listen to me, how was I to live?

I could not live with Harry. He was not acting...normally. He was behaving brutally, and I knew that something had to be wrong with him. It was like he had switched bodies, or something. What had happened to the Harry I had known during the summer? Certainly he was still the same! But, his behaviour was uncanny. Harry Potter, the kind loving boyfriend, never treated anyone as atrociously as he had now. How could he be so cruel? There was something wrong with this picture, I knew it; but I just had to find the missing piece.

I hurried into the Arithmancy classroom, scanning for Draco. He was absent from the mass of sixth year students. I could skip class, but what good would it do me to wander around and never find him? I knew Draco, and I also knew that he would never leave to a conspicuous place. I definitely would be unable to find him if he was seeking solitude. But I had to talk to him!

I pushed all thoughts aside as I sat at one of the back desks. The teacher was late.

I want to die, I fumed in my head. I don't deserve to live. How could I do this to Draco? How could I betray him? Well, it wasn't right, I see that now, but how am I to get him back if I can't find him. What if he doesn't love me after all? Wouldn't it be piteous of me to sob over Draco like a child sad over spilt milk? Wait, what am I thinking? He loves me, I know! I KNOW. He told me soooooo many times. I don't doubt him. No, no. If Harry wants to hold my promise over my head forever, then so be it, but he will NOT cause Draco anguish! I won't allow it. I promise.

Way to go, dear, my conscience cheered. That'll show him. Now, just get up, walk out of the classroom and find him. Draco will understand. It didn't sound so sure. To tell the truth, I wasn't sure myself.

I nodded to myself, standing and grabbing my backpack from the table. I dashed out of the room, unnoticed by the other students. Once out, I paused, wondering where to go.

"If I were Draco, where would I go?" I asked myself.

Outside.

"Good thought." I began to walk stealthily towards the front doors. If anyone saw me, I would go straight to the headmaster's office again.

I tiptoed past the other classes that were in session, only pausing when I heard McGonagall's exasperated voice through one of the doors, yelling about turning humans into ferrets.

I wonder what that's about, I mused as I passed.

I don't even want to know, my conscience replied.

I continued, going down the great marble stairs and finally coming to stop at the front doors. One of them was open. I took this for a good sign, and pushed it open all the way. A huge gust of wind blew in through the door, and I raised my arm to shield my eyes from the dust. I ran out the door, slamming it shut behind me. Draco had to be here somewhere.

Asriel. Go to her now. She will know the answers, the voice of my conscience said.

I agreed and began to jog down the slope to the forest. The wind rose and fell; there was a storm coming. This was going to be a big storm. Bigger than last year's great storm, when I had broken my wrist. However the weather, I would find Draco. If it caused me to be struck down by lightning, then so be it. I did not care.

I reached the forest just as a bolt of lightning shot through the sky. There was a resounding crack of thunder following the burst of light.

"Asriel!" I yelled over the howl of the wind. I heard no reply. Venturing closer to the trees, I repeated my call. Still, there was no answer. I saw light flash through the sky, thunder rumbling instantly after it.

Seeking shelter, I stumbled into the forest. I had never been inside the forest, and never wished to be again. It was dry beneath the trees, yes, but much mustier. It smelled dusty, like the library.

As thunder rumbled through the sky, I smelled the distinct scent of burning...something. There it was again! And singing, too, I now noticed.

"Heyaheloika! Leyohakoiea emanhealahaka! Deaheyolaeikoaea!"

"What is that?" I whispered to myself.

"It is," the wind hissed in my ears, forming words, "we are...come to us, my child. Come. It is time. Pick up the broken pieces of your life. Give yourself to us and we shall heal you. Allow!"

I smelled another waft of fragrant smoke that was drifting through the trees. It was sweet and pungent, like the fumes in Trelawney's tower, only more distant. I tasted it and smelled it at the same time. There was another enticing breeze of the fumes, and I found myself steadily tracking the direction from which it came. I began walking towards the source of the wonderful fragrance.

As I neared, the scent became more intense. It burned my nostrils and seared my lungs. I tried to wave the smoke away, but it was too dense to be repelled by such meagre defence. It billowed from--what was that? It seemed like--but it could not be! No possible way was there a...temple. But that was indeed what it was. There were two towering stone pillars before me, each with a snake carved into it. There was a set of marble steps leading up to the pillars, and I delicately tiptoed up the steps. At the top, where the pillars began, marble floor stretched out. I saw clearly that the room had no walls, only pillars and a ceiling. All the columns were of white marble, and I noticed how the ceiling arched near them. It was a sight to behold.

In the centre of the room, I saw an alter. On it was a lighted chalice, two silver candlesticks with burning candles, and a stick of smouldering incense. I stepped lightly into the room, inspecting everything with caution. As I reached the middle of the room, I saw a small black book lying on the ground, discarded. I bent to pick it up, but heard a warning.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," the voice sent shivers up my spine, and I turned slowly around to face the man. But before I could, he said, "Then again, if I were you, I wouldn't have ever come here in the first place. You should have known better, to be sure. However, since you are here, I shall make use of your presence. Tell me, now. Who are you and what is your intent?"

I turned slowly to look at the intruder. He had raven-black hair and glittering turquoise eyes. I stared rapturously as the man seemed to glide over the marble to the altar. His footsteps were light and airy, but they had an ominous air. He seemed too graceful to be real.

"Speak up. Tell me."

"I'm Nicole. I don't know why I came. Actually, I was just coming here because I smelled that," I waved at the incense.

"Ah, then you are not the Mage Child?"

"I don't know. I might be."

"Can you see in the Orb?"

"On occasion," I answered, beginning to feel wary of this mysterious stranger.

"And you have no intent? How can you be so sure?" he turned to face me.

"Who are you?" I questioned, feeling suspicious.

"And why would I tell you that?" he asked. "I happen to be a very private sort of person. But--if you can guess my name, I shall answer you as best I can. You get three clues. First--"

"Wait! I never agreed to--"

"You didn't have to. I chose for you. Now, your first clue is: I am named after my father," he spat the word bitterly, "who is no longer living. Second: I despise my name and all that it stands for. Last: I created a new name for myself. It contains thirteen letters."

"I can't guess off of those clues. I need to know what your real name is first. How else could I get it?"

"My name is Tom."

"Tom..." I murmured the name.

"You have a lovely voice. Why do you not voice your thoughts and allow me to hear your sweet voice?"

"Well," I blushed, "it isn't that I have no thoughts to share, but I am finding this frustrating. Why not tell me who you are, so I can speak more freely?"

"And if you fear my identity?"

"I can assure you that I won't. I fear no one, wizard or otherwise."

He chuckled softly. I yearned to hear more about him, so I could determine whether or not to divulge any personal information.

"Ah," Tom laughed, "she said that as well. But, yes. It turned out better when I answered her," he seemed to be speaking to himself now. "So, yes. I agree with you, Nicole. I shall tell you who I am. I am Tom Marvolo Riddle."

"And I would fear you for it?" I began laughing. Tom seemed delighted to hear my laughter, golden and rich with a happy melody.

"Yes, most would fear me. I am pleased at your courage, though. It seems that I may finally have found the perfect one after all. That is nothing to say you are the Child, but I shall try my best to make this--pleasurable. So, tell me about yourself, and we can exchange tales." He waved a hand, and two chairs appeared beside the altar. He gestured for me to sit, and I did.

"All right," I said, giggling still. "My name is Nicole Anne Stevens. My mother wanted to name me Naomi Annabelle, but my dad said no. That's a different story though. I moved here to England from America, because my dad's job transferred him here. At first, I hated it here. Then I went to Diagon Alley for school supplies, last year, where I met Harry.

"We dated, etcetera. I also found out that I was in love with someone else, Draco Malfoy, but that's another story, too. I was taken last year by Lord Voldemort--" Tom leaned forward interestedly as I said this. I looked curiously at him before continuing, "And he forced me to tell him the future."

"And did you?" Tom asked.

"Well, yeah. So then he kidnapped Harry and blah, blah, blah, we escaped into the moonrise."

"But, this summer I was still dating Harry, but I was mad at him because he slept with Ginny Weasley."

"I remember the first time we..." he whispered to himself. "She was fiery."

"So," I looked oddly at him again, "I went to Draco and we started dating. But, that only lasted a couple of days, because I made a deal with Harry. And so now I'm trying to find Draco and freaking explain to him, but no he has to go somewhere where I can't find him."

"Very well, then. I would tell you about myself, but there is no time. You may stay here and watch; if you'd like. But, please don't startle me. This is a delicate process."

"Mm-hm," I acceded. He went to stand at the altar. I sat in the chair and watched as he picked the book from the ground. Tom waved his hand again, and the chair disappeared from beneath me. I tumbled to the ground, landing with a thump.

"Oh, I apologise. I completely forgot you were there."

"Yeah, sure," I growled, rubbing my back where I'd landed on it.

"Descendant calls ancestor--"

"And says 'how're you doing?'" I muttered.

"...invoke the spirit of what once was. I call the Rod of Blackness, the Cup of Leandre, the Sword of Binoctium, and the Pentacle of Lamia. Bring the power of these to me and see what is to be done..."

I never heard the rest of that sentence. I had fallen asleep.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"I apologise, Nicole. This isn't my choice. If I could, I would save you. You are too far gone to be saved, now, though. Please do not plead. It won't make a difference. The verdict is in: no appeal. I tried, Nicole. You understand that, don't you? Were it my choice, I never would have chosen this end for you." He drew out a double-bladed knife. Its blade was silver; the moonlight glinted off its smooth surface.

"And to defile this dagger with your blood pains me," he continued. "I wish to change my fate. If you ask it of me, I'll follow in your footsteps to death. If you want to right this world, then I will sink the blade into my own chest instead of yours. It is my wish to do whatever you bid. Please decide quickly, before he comes to find us."

"And I would have neither of us die, if it were to be so. I do not wish for more bloodshed than has occurred already. My friends, all dead by the knife you hold in your hands as a child would hold a purring kitten. But you wish to crush your kitten's skull and snap its neck. You wish for blood, mine or yours, or both of ours; and I can only say: How can you ask me to decide both your fate and mine? I do not know to what ends we all will come. That was Trelawney's calling. No, I know the fates. Call this fate or destiny, but you shall never name it chance. Everything is as it was meant to be. Possibly our meeting was only a serious case of serendipity."

"I desire nothing more than to see us walking away, hand in hand together. But it cannot be so."

"Then, Draco, hand me the knife and shield your eyes. Better yet, walk away from me and forget I lived. My memory shall be alive no longer, as it should be. With no one around to remember my existence, maybe they shall also forget to mark my indiscretions. This is the end of an era, and the beginning of a new. Please take care of everyone, as I might have done. Just remember this: I did live, and I lived well. Bear in mind that I was not a failure. Keep that close to your heart, and your children's children shall have the same faith in the world as I. Please keep my soul alive in you."

"I promise I will, but I will not leave you," he said.

"So be it."

I took the knife from his hands and pressed it gently against the bare skin of my chest. "Goodbye, my love." And I shoved the blade into my chest. Dark red blood dripped from the hilt of the dagger. I looked unseeingly at the wound in my chest. The liquid was warm as it dripped down my hands, which were delicately pressed against my breast. The blood seeped through the bodice of my dress, but I was uncaring. The pain was intense, and my gaze became blurry. Draco was staring at me, tears flowing down his cheeks. I dropped my hands from my chest and fell limply to the ground. Draco stumbled in his haste to me, and as he reached my body, I heard him whisper.

"You are my love, as well. Nothing shall change that."

I slid into unconsciousness. But, no. It was black. It was death.

Draco sat for a long time beside my lifeless body. He cradled my head in his arms, holding me against him. His tears flowed onto my face, washing the blood off that had been transferred from Draco's hands to me.

His crying ceased finally, and Draco stood, head high, shoulders proud. He wrenched the knife from my body and held it above his chest, exactly where I had.

"And in death, we shall meet again." He slammed the filthy dagger into his chest, falling to the floor.

And in death, he thought as his life slipped away from him, I will find you.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I awoke lying on a mat of brambles. Actually, it was the forest floor, as I saw when I inspected the scene. Where had the temple gone? And Tom?

He had been here! my heart screamed. I am not gong mad!

There was water falling on my face in drops. Were they tears? No, no, they felt like tears, but it was rain. I looked around me at the muddy soil. Making to stand, I found that I felt empty. I brushed myself off, noticing that my shirt was only half-buttoned and that my robe had been cast away onto the ground beside where I had awoken. My arms were bruised, as if someone had held me roughly. But surely not.

I remembered my dream.

"Draco," I sighed sadly, touching my chest where the blade had pierced it in the dream. "Oh, Draco, you can't let that happen." I was talking to myself, and I knew it. But it did not matter. No one was here to listen anyway.

I buttoned my shirt, grabbing my robe and shaking the dirt out of it. I put it on to escape from the harsh wind that was bringing cold air whistling through the trees.

The storm I had seen as I had arrived in the forest had finally blown in. It caused the wind to be sharp and the rain to splash cruelly against my face, pricking it with its force. My hair was tossed behind me by the wind. It tugged at my shirt; airy fingers caressing any bare skin they could find.

I was exhausted and longing desperately to find Draco and curl up beside his warmth. Had I truly made that deal with Harry? In my mind, I was unsure. It seemed so long ago. Checking my watch, I found that it was nearly lunchtime. Had I been so long?

Deciding that it was best to return to school, I grabbed my bag from the ground beside me and began to walk towards the castle, hoping dearly that no one had missed me.